Page 58 of Falling for the Grump Billionaire

“Be careful. If they’re escalating like this, it means they’re desperate.”

I hang up without responding, shoving the phone back into my pocket. When I turn back to Eva, her arms are crossed, her gaze unyielding.

“You can’t keep me in the dark, Dominic,” she says, her voice low but firm. “If they’re after me, I have a right to know why.”

“You do know why,” I snap, the tension spilling over. “Because of me. Because of the files. Because someone out there sees you as a way to get to me.”

“That’s not good enough,” she fires back, rising to her feet. “I’m not just some pawn in your game. If I’m a target, I need to be prepared.”

Her defiance sparks something in me—frustration, admiration, and something deeper I can’t afford to name. “Being prepared won’t mean a damn thing if they catch you off guard,” I say, stepping closer. “That’s why I’m here. To make sure that doesn’t happen.”

She doesn’t flinch, holding her ground even as I invade her space. “You can’t protect me from everything, Dominic. And you shouldn’t have to. I can handle myself.”

The fire in her eyes is both maddening and intoxicating. I don’t know whether to yell at her or kiss her. “You don’t understand how far they’ll go,” I say, my voice dropping. “If something happens to you—”

“Then it happens,” she interrupts, her voice softer now. “But I won’t live my life in fear, Dominic. And neither should you.”

Her words hit me harder than they should, cutting through the storm raging in my head. I take a step back, running a hand through my hair. “You’re impossible.”

“So are you,” she counters, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

The tension between us shifts, softening just enough for me to take a breath. “Fine,” I say grudgingly. “But from now on, you don’t go anywhere without me. Got it?”

Her smile fades, replaced by a seriousness that matches my own. “Got it.”

Hours Later

The penthouse is quiet again, but the sense of unease lingers. Adrian called back an hour ago to confirm the intruder’s escape route—a service elevator accessible from the building’s maintenance wing. It’s a weak point I’ll have to fix, but for now, it’s another question on an ever-growing list.

Eva is asleep on the couch, her head resting against the armrest. Her hair falls in loose waves around her face, her features relaxed in a way I rarely see. The sight stirs something in me—something dangerous. I can’t afford to get distracted by her, not when everything is on the line.

I turn back to my laptop, the files still open on the screen. Each decrypted line feels like another piece of a puzzle I can’t quite solve. The transactions lead back to Conrad’s shell company in Geneva, but the deeper I dig, the more I’m convinced he’s just a middleman. Falcon is the real threat, and whoever they are, they’ve stayed two steps ahead at every turn.

My phone buzzes, pulling me from my thoughts. It’s Adrian again.

“What now?” I ask, my voice clipped.

“I traced the intruder’s movements,” he says. “He didn’t leave alone. There was a car waiting for him two blocks away.”

“License plate?”

“Stolen,” Adrian replies. “But the driver—he looked familiar. I’mrunning facial recognition now, but I think it’s one of Mercer’s men.”

The news tightens something in my chest. Mercer is making his move, and he’s not bothering to hide it. “Keep me updated,” I say before ending the call.

As I set the phone down, my gaze drifts back to Eva. She stirs slightly, her brow furrowing as if caught in a dream. Whatever storm she’s facing in her mind, I know it’s nothing compared to what’s coming.

This isn’t just about me anymore. It’s about her. And I’ll be damned if I let anyone take her away from me.

The penthouse alarm blares again, jolting me to my feet. My heart slams into my ribs as I grab the gun from the desk.

Not again.

“Dominic!” Eva’s voice echoes from the living room, sharper this time, laced with fear.

I rush toward her, every nerve in my body on high alert. The cameras flash on the monitor as I pass, showing the figure moving through the building’s lower levels again. This time, they’re not alone.

Whoever they are, they’re not stopping until they get what they want.

---